Chapter 36

Craig swallowed.“I’m a growing boy.”

That seemed to please Sam.Luke knew his friend partially judged a person by how much food he could cram into them before they left.Luke’s diet had been a bone of contention between them for years.

“Don’t suppose I could interest you in any more?”he said to Luke,who shook his head.

“I’m surprised he had any,”Donnie said,putting down his spoon.

“I don’t need to watch my weight as much now that I’m retired.But,”Luke held up a hand to forestall Sam,“I still want to eat healthily.Even if Andy tries to feed me pork at every meal.”

“I don’t,”Andy protested.

This led to a discussion between Andy and Sam about their favourite pork recipes.The others,feeling somewhat surplus to requirements,took their plates and bowls into the kitchen,where Donnie began to stack the dishwasher.

“I wish mum would get one of these,”Craig said.

“They’re a marvel.And with all the pots and pans Sam uses when he cooks,it’s bloody essential.”

“I heard that,”Sam said,coming into the kitchen.

After coffee was made,the five of them retired to the front room.Sam put on some classical music,but fortunately he turned the volume right down.Luke could tell Andy felt comfortable in Sam and Donnie’s presence.They had been warm and welcoming,but still gave Andy the space he always needed to get used to people he didn’t know.Craig was showing signs of boredom.Sam and Donnie were in their early fifties and had lives that weren’t of much interest to a teenager.

The post-dinner conversation had reached a natural pause,and Luke felt it was time to deliver his news.Draining his cup and setting it and its saucer on the coffee table,he said,“I made a decision earlier today.”

“Oh?”Donnie asked.

“That sounds ominous,”Sam added.

“Well,not really.”

Luke looked at Sam and Donnie.It was surprising,given the difference in ages between himself and them,that they’d become friends,much less maintained such a friendship.They’d been there for him so many times with a reassuring word,a strong shoulder or just a smiling face.“I’ve decided to move up north and live with Andy.”

Neither Sam nor Donnie spoke.Luke began to fidget.Did they disapprove of Andy;did they thinkhe was making a mistake?Had all the earlier pleasant conversation just been out of politeness?

“Of course you’re going to go live with him,”Donnie finally said.

“This hasn’t come as a surprise,”Sam added.“Every phone call we’ve had from you has beenabout how Andy has done this or said that.”He turned to Andy.“Forgive me,but I was half expecting you to be some kind of cross between Alexander the Great and Sir Lancelot.”

Craig snorted.“Which would make Luke Hephaestion,or Guinevere.”

Sam laughed.“I hadn’t thought of that.”

Andy shot a withering look at Craig,then turned to Sam and said,“Glad I was able to disabuse you of that,then.”

“Normally at this point we’d get out the thumbscrews and ask if your intentions toward Luke are strictly honourable,”Donnie said,“but I know they are.”

“Thanks,”Andy said,giving Luke’s hand a squeeze.

“It’s about time you found somebody decent.We were beginning to despair,”Sam said,smiling at Luke.

“Yes.I know I’ve hit the jackpot with Andy.”

Andy cleared his throat and squeezed Luke’s hand more tightly.“Stop it,”he whispered.

“I think we should change the subject and spare Andy’s blushes,”Donnie said.

“Oh,I don’t know,”Craig put in.

“Craig,”Andy growled.

“Okay,definitely changing the subject,”Sam said.“What are you doing about your flat,Luke?Your lease isn’t up for—”

Luke explained how Roger’s antics the previous year had prompted his landlord to not renew hislease.

“Can he do that?”Sam asked.

“Yeah.But it just made my decision to go live with Andy that bit easier.”

“True.But what will you do,for a job?”Donnie asked.

Luke shrugged.“I don’t know yet.I’ve got a fair bit saved up,so at least I won’t be sponging off of Andy.”

“You won’t have any rent to pay,”Andy said.Luke was about to protest that he’d pay his share of the mortgage when Andy added,“The farm is all paid off.”

“A man with his own house and business.You have landed on your feet,Luke,”Donnie said.

“I thought we weren’t going to embarrass Andy any more?”Luke said.In a lower voice,he added,“Or me for that matter.”Luke stole a glance at his man,who smiled reassuringly at him.

“Sorry,you’re right,we weren’t,”Donnie said.

“What will you do with all your stuff?”Sam asked.

“There isn’t that much.The flat came part-furnished;there’s just really my TV and stereo equipment,plus my clothes.Oh,and my bed.I’d rather just dump that.”It held too many bad memories of Roger.

Craig piped up with,“You could always sell it on eBay.”

Sam and Donnie laughed;even Luke saw the funny side.The innocent look on Craig’s face eventually dissolved into laughter,too.

“Just wait till we get you home,”Andy said.

“Promises,promises,”Craig smirked.

Andy stood.“I think we ought to be making a move.It’s way past Craig’s bedtime.”He offered Luke a hand up.

“You two only want to—”Craig began.

“Craig!That’s enough!”Andy said,raising a finger.

Craig clamped his mouth closed and had the good grace to look penitent.“I’m sorry,”he turned to everyone to say.

“I imagine it’s just teenage exuberance,”Donnie said,smiling sympathetically at Craig.“I take it you can’t talk as openly about gay things with your parents.”

Craig bit his lip and shook his head.

“So of course you feel liberated,more comfortable when you’re with Andy and Luke and their gay friends.”

“Yes,”Craig nodded.“And I get carried away,‘cause it’s just so great that you all understand,you’re all like me.”

Donnie and Sam nodded in understanding.

Luke led them to the front door.Everyone began to say their goodbyes once he,Craig and Andy were standing in the street.

Sam shook Craig’s hand.“Well,young man,if we don’t see you again—”

“It’ll be too soon,”Andy grumbled.

Craig’s smile,which had only just started to return,disappeared.Luke put a reassuring hand on Craig’s arm.

“No,no,not at all,”Sam said.“If we don’t see you again,you make sure you look after yourself.”

“Thank you,I will.And thanks for the great meal and everything else,”Craig said,acceptingDonnie’s hand.

“It was a pleasure.”Turning to Luke,Donnie said,“And don’t you be a stranger.We expect frequent phone calls,and the occasional visit wouldn’t come amiss,either.”

“I promise to stay in touch.”It really felt like he was saying goodbye.Luke hated goodbyes.

“Once we’re all settled in,you’re welcome to come up to the farm and stay for a few days,”Andy said.

Luke was surprised at the offer.He could tell Andy meant it,too.

“Thank you,”Sam said.

Luke wasn’t sure a pig farm in the middle of rural West Yorkshire was Sam and Donnie’s thing,with its lack of opera houses,fine restaurants or gentlemen’s clubs.A pint down the village pub wouldn’t be quite what they were used to.

Handshakes,hugs and goodbyes over,the three climbed into the van.Luke waved to his friends as Andy pulled away.It had been a great evening,all things considered.